25 CIAC GIRLS SWIMMERS TO WATCH IN 2020

Maddie Bergin, North Haven: Senior finished third in 50-yard free at 2019 State Open (23.90 seconds) and fourth in 100 free (52.31). Won both Class M 50 (24.01) and 100 free (52.52). All-State, All-SCC and GameTimeCT All-State selection anchored Class M championship 200 medley and 200 free relays. Earned Most Outstanding Performer honors at 2019 SCC Championships.

Nora Bergstrom, Cheshire: Senior took third in 500-yard free (5:02.55) and was fourth in 200 free (1:53.99) at State Open. Bergstrom finished third in both Class LL 200 free (1:54.01) and 500 free (5:05.47). All-state, All-SCC, GameTimeCT All-State selection in 2019.

Annie Bingle, Greenwich: A two-time NISCA All-America diver, Bingle joins Cardinals, aftAer starring at Greenwich Academy. junior excelled on 1-meter diving board as a sophomore, placing second at 2020 NEPSAC Championships (AllAmerica total of 446 points).

Bingle also finished second last season at FAA Championships (445.65).

Samantha Ennis, Greenwich: Third in 100-yard backstroke (State Open, 56.74 seconds) in 2019. Also at State Open and Class LL Championships, Ennis led off Greenwich’s winning 200 medley relay team. A senior, Ennis, who earned All-FCIAC and all-state and GameTimeCT All-State honors (2019), was runner-up in 100 backstroke (Class LL finals, 56.26).

Natalia Ferranto, Darien: Helped key Darien to Class L and FCIAC team championships. A sophomore, Ferranto claimed first-place medal in 50-yard free (Class L finals, 24.08). Ferranto also ignited Darien’s State Open championship and All-America 200-free relay team (1:37.76). Ferranto finished fifth in 50 free (State Open, 24.27).

Charlotte Frank, New Canaan: Senior placed fifth in diving (State Open, 2019, all-state honors), with 461.90 points. Captured Class L title (425.05 points) and was FCIAC runner-up (432.10).

Isabella Gary, Weston: Junior season featured wins in Class S 200 IM (2:07.28) and 100 breaststroke (1:04.52). All-SWC, AllState, GameTimeCT All-State recipient) third at State Open in 200 IM (2:05.94) and fourth in 100 breaststroke (1:05.07).

Rylie Giles, Ridgefield: Recorded two second-place finishes at State Open (200 free, 1:53.40, 500 free, 5:02.34). Senior was second in Class LL in 200 free (1:53.15) and 500 (4:58.80). All-FCIAC, all-state, GameTimeCT All-State selection in 2019 will swim at Bucknell. FCIAC champion in 100 free and 500 free.

Nicole Hahn, East Lyme: Junior flourished in 100 breaststroke (sixth at State Open, 1:06.35, second at Class M, 1:05.68) and 200 IM (third at Class M Championships,

2:09.89). Competed on runnerup 200-medley relay squad (Class M).

Maddie Haley, New Canaan: Senior was second at State Open in 100 backstroke (56.19). At Class M, won 100 backstroke (56.02). GameTimeCT All-State, All-FCIAC honoree placed second in backstroke at FCIAC’s (56.31).

Claire Kehley, Lauralton Hall: Third in State Open’s 200 free (1:53.93) and fourth in 500 free (5:06.20). A junior, who was All-state, GameTimeCT All-State selection, won both Class M 200 free (1:54.64) and 500 free (5:10.06). She also anchored Class M championship 200 relay.

Avery Kudlac, Glastonbury: Senior inished sixth in 100 butterfly (State Open, 57.90) and 10th in backstroke (Open, 58.42). She took fourth and seventh in butterfly (57.46, Class LL) and backstroke (58.92), respectively.

Kendall Luecke, Darien: Anchored All-America 200-yard free relay team, which captured State Open in 1:36.72. All-state, All-FCIAC performer anchored team’s winning Class L 200 free relay (1:37.76). Senior won Class L 200 free and was part of FCIAC championship 200 free relay.

Nicole Linell, Weston: Tied for fourth with teammate Isabella Gary in 100 breaststroke (1:05.07, 2019 State Open). Placed second in breaststroke (Class S, 1:05.65) and swam on winning 200 medley relay team.

Meghan Lynch, Greenwich: Stanford-bound three-time All-American in 200-yard IM. Captured gold medal in 200 IM last season (Class LL) in an All-America/state record time of 1:59.13. Also won race at State Open (1:59.50) and placed second in 100 breaststroke at LL meet (1:02.57) and Open (1:02.44). Holder of 68 Connecticut Swimming Age Group records, Lynch also earned AllAmerica accolades in 100 free (50.79) and 100 breaststroke (1:02.57, second State Open, Class LL). Lynch (all-state, AllFCIAC, GameTimeCT.com AllState Team/Swimmer of Year 2018), also powered Cardinals’ 2019 State Open champion 400 free and 200 medley relays.

Sophie Murphy, Cheshire: Murphy’s junior season was highlighted by victories in 50 free (State Open, 23.68) and 100 free (51.08, Open). Anchored Rams’ 400 free relay and 200 free relay (State Open), which placed second and third, respectively. Captured Class LL 50 free title (23.88), 100 free (51.11) and was on winning 400 free relay. An All-SCC, All-State and GameTimeCT 2019 Swimmer of Year recipient.

Emma Nordquist, Hall: Senior notched sixth-place finish in 200 free (State Open, 1:54.56), was ninth in 500 free (5:09.56). All-Stater was fifth in 200 free (1:55.38) and fifth in 500 free (Class LL Championships).

Karine O’Connor, Amity: Took third in 100 butterfly (56.73) at last season’s State Open. She was 10th in 50 free (24.43). In Class LL, All-state, All-SCC, GameTimeCT All-State pick finished third in 100 butterfly (57.45) and was fourth in 50 free (24.53).

Katrine O’Leary, Seymour: O’Leary’s all-state freshman season featured fourth-place finish in 50 free (State Open, 24.12) and fifth-place effort in 100 free (Open, 52.71). Led off 400 free relay, which placed eighth. Class S 50 (24.18) and 100 champion (52.95).

Alexa Pappas, Weston: Rejoins team for senior year, after swimming for club squad last season. In 2018, was State Open’s 100 backstroke champ and placed third in 100 free. Also was part of championship 200 medley relay team.

Adriana Mieses-Sanchez, Windsor: Junior diver finished fourth in Class L (370.70). At State Open, posted a seventhplace finish, amassing 448.62 points over 11 dives.

Hannah Seward, Ridgefield: Northwestern-bound Seward posted first-place finishes in 100 butterfly at Class LL and State Open Championships, respectively (55.14, 55.30). All-FCIAC, All-State, GameTimeCT All-State recipient placed third in 100 free at Open (52.26) and was second in Class LL (51.86). She earned FCIAC butterfly and 50 free titles.

Elizabeth Stoelzel, Masuk: Junior year was highlighted by a fifth-place finish in State Open’s 50 free (24.27). In Class M 50 free, was second (24.32). Also third in Class M 100 backstroke and was on second-place 200 free relay.

Sophia Velleco, Seymour: As a freshman last season, placed fifth in 200 free (State Open, 1:54.39). Swam 400 free relay (eighth State Open) and was runner-up in 50 free (1:54.64) at Class S finals, which saw her swim on victorious 400 free squad.

Lauren Walsh, Trumbull: Junior earned All-America honors in 200 IM (2:01.82) and 100 breaststroke (1:01.96). Won breaststroke at State Open (1:01.96) and was second in 200 IM (2:02.42). Walsh (All-State, All-FCIAC, GameTimeCT AllState selection won Class LL breaststroke (1:02.40) and was second in 200 IM (2:01.82). Competed on second-place 200 medley relay team (State Open).

— David Fierro